Applejack…Awake…

The farm mare stirred at the sound of her name echoing through the darkness. She groaned softly as she blinked her eyes open, finding herself laying upon a surface that shimmered with otherworldly light…light that was only warm. She soon moved her stiff limbs, getting the feeling as though she had bucked every tree within Sweet Apple Acres…again. Slowly, the farm mare pushed herself up on trembling legs, her hooves clinking against the smooth, glassy surface.

“What in tarnation…” she muttered under her breath, her green eyes scanning her surroundings.

But there was nothing.

Darkness stretched endlessly around her, vast and all-encompassing. It pressed against her from every direction, so thick and consuming that it felt as though the warm light beneath her hooves was the only thing keeping it at bay. Applejack’s breath hitched as unease began to creep in.

“Where… where am I?” she asked aloud, her voice trembling slightly as it carried into the void.

Applejack…

The voice called out again, soft and resonant, like a whisper carried on the wind. Applejack’s ears perked up, swiveling to pinpoint the direction, but the vast darkness surrounding her offered no clues. She cautiously stepped forward, the glassy surface beneath her hooves glowing faintly with each step.

“Who’s there?” she called out, “Come on now, no need to be sneakin’ around. Just show yerself!”

The silence stretched, save for the echo of her own voice. Then, slowly, a faint light appeared in the distance, growing steadily brighter as it approached. Applejack squared her shoulders, bracing herself for whatever—or whoever—was coming.

The light soon halted at the edge of the glassy surface Applejack was standing on, revealing a set of stairs carved from the same shimmering material. They ascended upwards into the void, each step glowing faintly as though lit from within. In the distance she could see another large pillar, the stairs connecting them both.

Her eyes narrowed as she took in the sight of the ethereal staircase before making them fall on the massive pillar beyond. Standing up straight, she adjusted her head and muttered under her breath, “Guess that's the only way ta go…Well, ain’t no sense in standin’ around like a stump in the mud.”

With a cautious step, she moved toward the base of the stairs. Her hooves clinked against the glassy surface, a soft glow forming with each step as she moved forward. She paused at the first step, craning her neck to peer upward. The stairs seemed endless, spiraling into the void and fading from sight.

“Alright, whoever y’are, I’m comin’,” Applejack said firmly, more to herself than anyone else. With a determined exhale, she began her ascent.

Each step felt sturdy underhoof, despite knowing that there was nothing keeping it that way. The light beneath her brightening slightly as though acknowledging her presence. The sensation was strange—solid yet ethereal, warm but not uncomfortable. It was unlike anything she’d felt before.

Halfway up, she stopped, looking down over her shoulder. The glassy platform below was now a distant, dim circle, swallowed by the surrounding darkness. She gulped, a twinge of vertigo making her legs quiver. “Whew, don’t look down, AJ. Jus’ keep movin’,” she murmured, pressing onward.

As Applejack stepped onto the final platform, a wave of relief washed over her—but it was short-lived. The glow from the towering pillar surged, blinding her in an explosion of vivid, radiant pink.

“Wha—?!” Applejack barely had time to react before she was yanked forward, her breath whooshing out of her lungs as something soft yet shockingly strong wrapped around her. The warmth was almost overwhelming, like being smothered in a blanket that smelled faintly of cotton candy and vanilla.

“OHMYGOSH YOU’RE FINALLY HERE!” a voice squealed, high-pitched and brimming with infectious energy. “I was so worried about you, Applejack! When I found myself in this dark void I was all scared and alone and frightened but then I heard this voice and then some pretty stairs appeared and I followed them all the way up here and then I found Sora and then you came and I hugged you and now I feel better!”

“P-Pinkie?! Slow down!” The farm mare sputtered, her voice muffled against the pink party pony’s crushing embrace. She finally managed to pry herself from the mare, catching the breath she had knocked from her lugs before speaking again. “Yer talkin’ faster than a squirrel on chatter day, girl. What in the hay is goin’ on here? Where are we?”

Pinkie tilted her head, her perpetually cheerful expression faltering for a moment. She plopped down onto her haunches, one hoof tapping her chin thoughtfully. “Well, I’m not entirely sure, but it’s gotta be some kind of magical dream realm, right? Oh! And look! We both have our Elements on too! Which is weird because I was sure we left them in Canterlot!”

Applejack blinked before she looked down to find that she did indeed have her Element on. “Well ah’ll be… You’re right Sugarcube. Must have been so out of sorts that ah never noticed it was on me.”

Applejack lifted a hoof to touch the familiar golden necklace resting snugly against her chest. The orange gem in the shape of her cutie mark shimmered faintly in the warm glow of the platform. The sight of it steadied her nerves, if only a little.

Pinkie held up her own Element—a necklace bearing a blue balloon-shaped gem. “I know, right?” She gasped, “Ooooh! Maybe the Elements were like, ‘Hey, these gals could use some extra sparkly accessories today!’” She grinned, hopping back onto all four hooves. “Fashion emergencies can happen anywhere, you know.”

Applejack sighed, the corners of her mouth quirking upward despite the unease gnawing at her. “Pinkie, sometimes ah don’t know if yer tryin’ to make me laugh or if you really believe half the stuff that comes outta yer mouth.”

“Both!” Pinkie replied cheerfully.

The farm mare shook her head. “Anyway…ya mentioned Sora before right? He’s here too?”

“Oh yeah,” the pink mare spoke with a sheepish smile. “He is here…but…There’s something I forgot to mention. So…before I let you know…I’m gonna need you to not freak out on me, okay?”

“What do ya mean Pinkie?” Applejack questioned, growing a little afraid at her friend’s mood change, “Did something happen to Sora? Is he alright?!”

“Applejack he’s fine.” Pinkie Pie assured her. “It's just...It's something you need to see for yourself.” The pink pony sighed before moving out of the orange mare’s line of sight. When she had, Applejack’s eyes would widen at what she saw.

The creature in front of her was tall and lanky, standing upon its hind hooves, almost like Twilight’s assistant, Spike, does. Black clothing that was very familiar was donned upon the creature, the jacket more so familiar to her then anything else. Seeing its face, she could see it was rather flat, not in an ugly way mind you, but it definitely wasn’t that of a pony or any other equestrian she had known. A spiky brown mop of a mane sat upon the top of their head, the only piece of hair she could see upon them since their peach skin was not covered in anything else.

The creature stood awkwardly always from the mare, looking away from both them, one of its fingered claws scratching its cheek softly.

“Pinkie Pie,” Applejack said slowly, her voice low and steady despite the rapid pounding of her heart, “you’d better start explainin’, and fast. What in tarnation am I lookin’ at?”

The pink party mare she had questioned shuffled nervously in place, an uncharacteristic hesitation coloring her usually bubbly demeanor. “Well, um… I told you I found Sora right?” She gestured toward the creature with both forehooves, as if presenting it for the second time. “Tadaaa…”

Applejack blinked, her jaw dropping slightly. “That’s Sora?” she asked.

The creature—no, Sora—winced at the incredulity in Applejack’s voice, rubbing the back of his head awkwardly. “Uh… hey, AJ…”

Kingdom Hearts of Harmony

The Return of Sombra-The Truth

Applejack’s brow furrowed as she tried to reconcile the pony she knew with the strange figure standing before her. Her eyes darted from to and fro, as if trying to comprehend something within her mind. When she was done, her took a step forward, her hoof stomping on the ground.

“Sora...Explain.”

“OH! I want to know too! I bet it’s supercoolawasommazing!” Pinkie Pie squeed with glee, the pink mare bouncing around the stallion as she spook. An act that actually caused Sora to be a ease…at least compared to Applejack's aggression.

He turned towards the orange mare, rubbing the back of his head as he spoke, “It’s...well...It’s kind of hard to explain I guess.” He told them. “The short of it is…This is how I usually look. Like a human.”

“Now hold on a second. You’re tellin’ me you ain’t actually a pony?” Applejack’s voice was low, but the weight behind her words made Sora wince. At his hesitant nod, her eyes narrowed into a scowl as she took another step foward. “So you’ve been lyin’ to my friends this whole time?”

Sora flinched, the accusation hitting harder than he expected. “No! I mean… I guess, kind of? But only about being a pony! Everything else I’ve told you is true!”

Applejack’s glare didn’t waver. “And how do ah know you ain’t lyin’ about that too?” she shot back, her tone sharp and unforgiving.

Sora opened his mouth to respond but faltered, fumbling for the right words. “I… I swear, I haven’t lied about anything else. It’s just… explaining everything isn’t exactly easy.”

Applejack snorted, crossing her hooves stubbornly. “Well, I ain’t movin’ an inch till I hear the whole truth. So you’d best start talkin’.”

“Mayhap save such tales for another time, fair Applejack?”

The sudden voice echoed through the void, causing all three to jump. Applejack immediately squared her shoulders and stomped a hoof, her sharp gaze scanning the emptiness around them. “What the hay?! Who’s there? Come out and show yourself, ya varmint, and quit playin’ games with me. Ah’m not in the mood!”

“Oh, I don’t know, Applejack,” Pinkie chimed with a cheerful bounce. “I think games can do a pony good, no matter who you are. Especially if there are prizes! Or snacks!”

The farm mare huffed harshly and spun to face her friend, her frustration bubbling over. “Will ya cut it out, Pinkie? We’ve got enough on our plate without yer shenanigans!”

Pinkie blinked at her, her usual smile faltering. Before she could respond, Sora stepped between them, his frown firmly in place. “Hey, come on, Applejack! She’s just trying to lighten the mood! There’s no need to snap at her.”

“Like you’ve got any right ta say somethin’ like that after all the lyin’ ya did to us!” The farm mare snapped, jabbing a hoof in his direction.

Sora flinched but held his ground, his voice growing firm. “At least I’m not the one yelling at my friends when they didn’t do anything wrong!” His words were sharp, cutting through the tense air and landing squarely on Applejack, causing the farm mare to take a step back, her fiery anger ebbing, if just a little.

“Ah… ah mean…” she stammered, her voice wavering. She looked away from Sora and Pinkie, her ears folding back as the weight of her actions settled on her. Despite everything…Sora was right. She knew she was upset—angry even—at Sora for keeping whatever truth this was from them. But snapping at Pinkie? Lashing out at someone who’d done nothing wrong? That wasn’t like her. She wasn’t the Element of Accusations. She was the Element of Honest.

Applejack took a deep breath before her green eyes flicked between Sora and Pinkie, her voice softer but still tinged with unease. “This is just… Ah mean… It's a lot ta take in right now. Where we are, what’s goin’ on… Ah don’t even know if we’re…” She hesitated, the word catching in her throat. “…dead.”

Pinkie’s ears drooped slightly, her usual bubbly demeanor dimming for a moment. “AJ…”

Applejack pushed on, her voice cracking slightly as she spoke. “Ah’m worried about Apple Bloom, Twilight, and everypony else. They don’t even know where we are, let alone what’s happenin’ to us…or…Us to them. And on top of all that…” She gestured toward Sora with a hoof, her movements sharp and frustrated. “Throwin’ this on me outta nowhere… It’s just… it’s a lot, alright?”

“Ahem…”

A bright light began to shine from above, prompting the trio to look up in unison. Descending gracefully from the radiance was a striking pegasus mare, her body adorned in the finest silk they had ever seen, its ethereal glow emphasizing her elegance. Draped across her head was a white covering resembling a crown. Her sharp lavender eyes sparkled with a quiet wisdom, and her smile widened gently as she landed on the shimmering floor. Her orange coat shimmered brilliantly, even in the oppressive darkness surrounding them.

Beside her, a massive stallion touched down with a resounding thud, his presence commanding immediate attention. Applejack half-feared the glass platform beneath them might crack under his sheer weight. The bearded stallion released a hearty, gruff laugh as he dusted himself off, his mighty hoof brushing over his face in a gesture of ease. His smile radiated warmth and strength.

“It feels good to have a voice again after all these years,” the mare spoke, bowing deeply with a voice that carried an ancient elegance. “And it is a pleasure to meet you, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and Sora.”

Applejack’s eyes narrowed as she took a cautious step forward, something vaguely familiar about the stallion tugging at her memory. “How do y’all know our names?” she demanded. “And more importantly, just who are ya?”

“An excellent question, little lass,” the stallion rumbled, his voice calm yet booming, carrying an accent none of them could place. “The answers require a tale—one of grand scale and epic purpose. A tale I believe you’ll want to hear.”

Pinkie’s face lit up as she squealed with excitement, springing into the air. “Oh, story time! My favorite!” In an instant, she had conjured a lawn chair and a bag of popcorn, sitting at the edge of her seat with wide eyes and a grin.

The mare chuckled softly, her amusement evident. “I see you’ve come prepared, Pinkie Pie.”

Applejack rolled her eyes, ignoring the pink mare’s usual ability to be unpredictable, and sat on her haunches, her gaze falling to the newcomers. “If it gets me closer to understandin’ this mess we’re in, then I reckon I’ve got no choice but to listen.”

Sora crossed his arms and stood silently, his brow furrowed as he focused intently on the two mysterious ponies as well.

The mare, seeing she had everyone’s attention, cleared her throat gracefully before she began. “Our world was not always the peaceful place you know today. In the time of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna’s youth, when they were still learning under the guidance of a dear friend of ours, a great darkness plagued the land. The Pony of Shadows emerged, spreading his influence across Equestria and summoning creatures you now know as the Heartless. They were relentless, devouring the light wherever they went.”

She paused, her gaze sweeping over her audience. “We discovered that light could harm these creatures, but it was not enough. When we were on the brink of despair, a being unlike any we had seen before arrived. He was not of this world, yet he wielded a weapon of incredible power—one that shone with the light of hope.”

“This being fought tirelessly. He stood against monstrous Heartless—some as large as castles—and never once asked for anything in return. Through his actions, he gave us something we had long since lost: hope.”

“Hope…” Applejack murmured, her scowl softening.

“But even he could not fight forever…at least…not alone,” the mare said, her voice heavy with emotion. “We attempted to replicate his weapon, to stand alongside him in the battle, but the light’s power was too great for us to wield since we were not the chosen. It was then that an idea took root.”

The stallion of the duo stepped forward, his grin wide. “Aye, and with his help, we created a weapon that could channel the light, splitting its power into six crystals. With them, we could finally push back the darkness. But…they were without wielder…”

“That is… until six ponies, all from different corners of the world, came together,” Somnambula continued, her voice carrying a sense of reverence. “They had heard of our plans and felt, deep in their hearts, that the weapons were calling to them.”

Sora, unable to contain himself, stepped forward. “Those weapons then…,” he interrupted, “you’re talking about the Elements of Harmony, aren’t you? And the six ponies… you and him were two of them, right?”

Applejack whipped her head toward Sora, her eyes wide with disbelief. “What?!” she exclaimed. “That can’t be true.”

The mare gave a serene smile, placing a hoof lightly against her chest. “Oh, but it is, fair Applejack. My dear friend Rockhoof and I, Somnambula, were among the original six. Rockhoof bore Strength, the Element now known as Honesty, which you carry. I bore Hope, which you now call Laughter, young Pinkie Pie. Together, alongside four others, we became the Pillars of Harmony. With the Key Warrior’s guidance and the Elements’ light, we managed to push back the darkness and restore peace. Though remnants of the Pony of Shadows’ influence lingered, we were able to rebuild and protect our world with the power of the Elements.”

Applejack’s jaw dropped as she turned toward Rockhoof, a spark of recognition lighting up her eyes. “Rockhoof… the Rockhoof? I knew ya looked familiar!”

Pinkie gasped loudly, her hooves shooting up in excitement. “Wait, wait, wait! You know him, AJ?”

The farm mare’s cheeks turned a light shade of pink, realizing how loud she’d been. She adjusted her hat nervously, avoiding Pinkie’s curious gaze. “W-Well, not know him, exactly,” she stammered. “But me and Apple Bloom used to read stories about him. He’s a legend! The strongest pony in all the land, and a farmer’s son, too.”

Rockhoof let out a deep, hearty laugh that reverberated through the void. “Aye, it’s good to know the tales still inspire young ponies. And from what I see, the Element of Honesty has found a worthy bearer in you, lass.”

Applejack’s face brightened at the praise, a small, shy smile forming on her lips. But it quickly faded as her mind filled with questions, her expression clouding. She lowered her gaze, her voice quieter but firm. “If all that’s true… then why are you two here? In this… void?”

Rockhoof’s smile dimmed slightly, and Somnambula’s expression grew somber. She shook her head gently, her lavender eyes filled with an unreadable emotion. “That is a question we cannot answer fully at this time, dear Applejack. There are greater matters that demand your attention, and answers will come only when the time is right.”

“Ah…OH YEAH…” Pinkie Pie gasped. “We were fighting that mean ol king of darkness! Or at least we were fighting him. And we beat him too! That was until he was all like, ‘Use Ultimate Cheatcode, GO’ and turned into a big monster type thingy! And I was like ‘Ohs Nos!’ and AJ was like ‘Darn-tooting’ and Sora was like ‘Don’t worry Fluttershy! I’m coming for ya!’”

Sora's face turned bright red as Pinkie Pie reenacted the chaotic moment, more so her version of his events. “W-Wait! Hold on a second! I never said any of that! I was just… just protecting her! That’s all!” The human didn’t understand why he was trying to defend himself on that aspect though. Shaking his head, he turned his attention back to the pair of ponies standing in front of him. “A-Anyway! What happened to us after that? Honestly… I have no idea.”

Applejack swallowed hard, her voice tinged with unease. “We… we didn’t die, did we?”

Somnambula shook her head. “Fear not, you three are not dead. Relief washed over the trio for a moment, but Somnambula’s gentle expression turned somber. “However, that’s not to say you won’t be… in about twelve seconds.”

“What?!” Sora and the girls exclaimed in unison, alarm evident in their voices.

“This is a dream state,” Rockhoof explained, his deep voice calm yet firm. “Time has slowed here, but the events of the real world continue to unfold. As we speak, you three, the Element of Kindness, and those poor fillies are moments away from being obliterated by the dark one’s attack.”

Each of them processed the dire news in their own way, but there was no denying that the situation was grim.

Applejack was the first to speak, pulling her hat low over her eyes as if bracing herself. “So… we’re as good as gone, huh?”

Somnambula shook her head gently, her voice tinged with sorrow. “Whether you fall or prevail is up to you, Applejack—and Pinkie Pie.”

“What do you mean?” Applejack asked, her brows furrowing in confusion.

Rockhoof turned his gaze to Sora, his expression serious. “The power of the Keyblade Wielder is crucial to victory, but it cannot stand alone.”

“Huh?” Sora tilted his head, his confusion evident.

“Remember, young Keyblade Wielder,” Somnambula explained. “It was a Keyblade Wielder who helped forge the Elements of Harmony. It stands to reason the Elements would respond to you, even if you are not the same one.”

Sora cupped his chin in thought. “So… you’re saying the Keyblade and the Elements of Harmony can work together? How, though?”

“That,” Somnambula replied, her voice tinged with regret, “is something only you and your friends can discover. We can only offer what knowledge we have.”

Applejack reached up to touch the Element of Honesty hanging around her neck, her gaze distant as she mulled over the information. After a long pause, she turned to Sora, her expression guarded. “Tell me somethin’, Sora. Did ya know about any of this?”

Sora shook his head quickly, startled by the question. “No. This is the first time I’ve ever heard a story like this.”

Applejack narrowed her eyes. “Then tell me—if the Keyblade Wielder in your story didn’t hide who they were, why did you?”

Sora ran a hand through his spiky hair, visibly searching for the right words. “Well… when I got here, Princess Celestia used her magic to turn me into a pony. So technically, I was a pony.”

“That don’t excuse the fact that ya lied to us all this time,” Applejack countered. “Did she tell ya not to say anythin’?”

“Well… no,” Sora admitted, glancing away.

“Then why didn’t ya?” Applejack pressed.

Sora sighed, looking down. “I was….” he trailed off.

Applejack softened slightly, tilting her head. “Afraid we wouldn’t accept ya?”

Sora looked up at her in surprise. “I… how did you…?”

“It’s just a feelin’,” Applejack replied simply. “Was that it? Or was there more?”

Sora hesitated before nodding. “Well…kinda…. The other part is… it’s a Guardian of Light’s duty to protect the balance of worlds. We’re not supposed to reveal who we are or that we can travel between worlds unless there’s no other choice.”

Applejack’s shoulders sagged slightly as she pressed further. “So… was everythin’ you told us about yourself a lie? Your life back home?”

“No!” Sora’s voice was earnest, his eyes wide with sincerity. “I grew up with my friends on Destiny Islands. This necklace was a gift from my best friend. And… uh…” He hesitated, scratching his cheek. “I’m afraid of ghosts.”

Applejack blinked, caught off guard. Despite herself, the corners of her mouth twitched upward into a faint smile. “Afraid of ghosts? You never told us that.”

“Oh…” Sora rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. “Yeah… could you maybe forget I said that then?”

Before Applejack could respond, Pinkie Pie threw a hoof around Sora, pulling him into a hug. “No way, Sora! That’s a golden detail, and Mama Pinkie’s never lettin’ it go!”

Sora groaned, slumping in defeat. “Great…”

Applejack cleared her throat, her frown returning as she fixed her gaze on Sora. “Even so, Sora… ya lied to us from the start. I don’t know what to think about all this, or even how to feel right now. It’s just… a lot to take in.”

“What do you want me to say then, Applejack?” Sora replied, his tone carrying a mix of frustration and regret. “That I should’ve gone against what Master Yen Sid told me? He’s been doing this a lot longer than I have. Besides, what was I supposed to do? Just walk up and say, ‘Hey, I’m a human from another world’?”

“No! I mean…” Applejack hesitated, her voice faltering as her eyes lowered to the ground. “Ah don’t know… ah just…” She trailed off, unable to find the right words.

“You know what!?” Pinkie Pie suddenly yelled, her voice cutting through the tension like a knife. “We’re wasting time!” She spun to face Applejack, puffing out her chest with determination. “Don’t worry, AJ. I’ve got this.”

Before Applejack could respond, Pinkie bounced over to Sora, grabbing him by the ear and pulling him down to her level. “I’ve only got one question for you, mister!” she declared, her eyes narrowing into a serious squint.

Sora winced at the tug, flailing slightly. “W-What is it?”

Pinkie leaned in, her voice low but firm. “Did you enjoy my party or not?”

Sora froze, blinking in confusion at the unexpected question. He stared at Pinkie for a long moment before a small smile tugged at his lips. “Yeah, I did, Pinkie. It was the best party I’ve ever been to in my life.”

Pinkie kept her serious expression for a moment longer before breaking into a wide, beaming grin. “Whelp! That’s all I needed to hear—he’s alright in my book!”

“What?!” Applejack exclaimed, her brow furrowing in disbelief. “What kinda question is that supposed to be?”

“The ultimate question, obviously!” Pinkie replied matter-of-factly. “No bad guy would ever admit to liking a Pinkie Pie party. Therefore, Sora’s a good guy!”

Applejack groaned, slapping a hoof to her face as Pinkie giggled. The pink party mare released his ear before nuzzling his cheek affectionately. “Besides, sure he lied about what he was, but he never lied about who he was with his actions. And that’s somepony who goes out of his way to protect the ponies and things he cares about—even friends he’s only just met. So don’t let one little fib keep you from being friends with him, AJ. He’s really, really sorry—look!”

Pinkie hopped onto Sora’s back and placed her hooves on either side of his face, pulling his cheeks down into an exaggeratedly sad expression. “See? Look at that face! He’s basically a sorry marshmallow!”

“Pinkie…” Sora groaned, his face burning red from embarrassment.

“I never said I’d stop being friends with him, Pinkie,” Applejack said, her voice softening as she looked down, the last traces of her anger fading. She let out a deep sigh before lifting her gaze back to the pair. A small, sincere smile graced her lips. “But from now on, Sora, I expect nothin’ but the truth. When we get back, you’re gonna tell the rest of the girls, too. There’s no point in hidin’ it anymore.”

She made her way towards the human placing a reassuring hoof on his shoulder. “You’ve done too much for us to even think about losin’ you as a friend. You risked your life to save Twilight and Fluttershy, and you even saved mine. You might not be a pony, but stuff like that don’t matter to me. You’re still one of us. You’re still our friend. And friends… well, friends forgive each other, don’t they?”

Sora’s shoulders relaxed, and he let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. A small, grateful smile spread across his face. “Yeah… friends do forgive each other. Thank you, Applejack.” He smiled at her. “So…does that mean I can stay at the Apple Farm?”

Applejack blinked at Sora’s question, momentarily caught off guard. Her expression shifted from warm to amused as she let out a small chuckle. “Sora… you were never not allowed to stay. We’d never turn away a friend, especially not one who’s done as much as you have. But don’t think you’re getting away from doing any choirs now that we know you ain't a pony!”

Pinkie Pie jumped between the two, throwing her forelegs around them and pulling them into a bone-crushing hug. “YAY! We’re friends again!” she cheered, her voice brimming with joy.

“Indeed you are,” Somnambula said gently, her serene voice cutting through the moment. Her form, along with Rockhoof’s, began to flicker, their bodies slowly fading into shimmering light. “Hold onto the friendships in your hearts. In the deepest darkness, it will always be your guiding light.”

As the human and farm mare pulled away from Pinkie’s enthusiastic embrace, a gentle glow began to envelop them. Applejack and Pinkie Pie exchanged a glance before their attention turned to Sora, who stood firm as he summoned his Keyblade. The familiar weapon appeared in his hand with a burst of light, and he raised it high. A ripple of energy coursed through the air, the shimmering glow of the Elements of Honesty and Laughter responding in kind. Their radiant light began to flow, intertwining with the Keyblade’s power.

Applejack raised an eyebrow, her voice tinged with a mix of humor and curiosity. “Sora… do ya even know what you’re doin’?”

Sora shook his head, his eyes fixed on the light gathering around them. A confident grin spread across his face. “Not really. I’m kinda just winging it.”

Applejack rolled her eyes with a chuckle. “Figures.”

A brilliant beam of light erupted from the Keyblade, shooting skyward before arching down toward the ground below. As it struck, a surge of overwhelming power washed over the trio, filling them with a renewed sense of strength and purpose.

“With my friends by my side, I know we can win!” Sora declared, his voice steady and determined. “We’re going to protect everyone and defeat the Pony of Shadows—King Sombra—once and for all!”

The light around them intensified, bathing them in its radiant glow. It pulsed with warmth and power, enveloping them completely as their surroundings began to blur. The sensation of weightlessness overtook them as they prepared to face whatever awaited them next.

Just before the light consumed them entirely, Somnambula’s voice echoed faintly, her words haunting yet filled with purpose.

“I never said Sombra was the one you needed to defeat, Key Warrior.”

~~~

Sombra unleashed a massive orb of darkness from his gaping maw, the destructive sphere hurtling toward the ponies with ferocious speed. But before it could strike, a flash of radiant light cut through the darkness, slicing the attack cleanly in two. The two halves of the orb dissipated harmlessly into the air, leaving Sombra snarling in rage as his glowing eyes locked onto the source of the interruption.

As the blinding light faded, a familiar figure emerged from the settling dust. Sora stood tall, his caramel coat and chocolate-brown mane catching in the breeze. But something about him was different—radiantly so. Gone was his usual black attire, replaced by a striking crimson jacket as vibrant as the reddest rose, adorned with glowing fleur-de-lis on each sleeve. His entire outfit shimmered with an unearthly energy, crackling with sparks that danced like miniature stars, a testament to the raw power coursing through him.

However, it wasn’t Sora’s new appearance that drew Sombra’s attention—it was the weapons he held. Standing upright on his hind hooves, Sora wielded two Keyblades, one in each forehoof. Each weapon radiated a light of its own, their brilliance a stark contrast to Sombra’s shadowy aura.

Sora glanced at the Keyblades, taking a moment to admire their intricate designs. The first was golden and brown, its teeth shaped like an apple slice, with Applejack’s Element of Honesty embedded in its chain. The second was wild and pink, with sharp, jagged edges framing Pinkie Pie’s cutie mark near the hilt, her Element of Laughter dangling proudly from its chain.

“Wow…” Sora murmured, twirling the Keyblades effortlessly in his grasp. “It’s been a while since I used this form.”

A soft voice broke through his thoughts. “S-Sora…” Fluttershy whispered, her wide eyes filled with awe and concern as she reached out a hoof toward him.

Sora turned to her, his intense gaze softening into a gentle smile. “Fluttershy… I’ll be back... I promise.” His voice was calm yet firm, filled with a quiet determination. “I’ve got a lot to explain to you and the others when this is all over. But right now, I need you to trust me. I’ll protect you—all of you.”

Fluttershy nodded hesitantly. Sora returned his attention to Sombra, his grip tightening around the glowing Keyblades. With practiced precision, he spun them in his hooves, their light carving arcs through the air. Once the blades stilled, he settled into a battle-ready stance.

“Can you fly out of here?” Sora asked without turning back.

Fluttershy blinked, startled, before answering softly. “I… I think so…”

“Good. Get the fillies and take them somewhere safe,” Sora instructed, his tone gentle but firm. “Leave this to me.”

With a resolute nod, Fluttershy flapped her wings and took off, heading toward the frightened fillies in the distance. Sora waited until he could no longer sense her presence behind him, his focus returning fully to the towering shadowy beast in front of him.

Sora smirked, twirling both Keyblades once more before leveling them at Sombra. “Alright, Sombra,” he said, his voice brimming with confidence. “I hope you’re ready… because I’ve got two Keyblades and a whole lot of energy. And right now? I’m in the mood to party!”

Author's Note

Shardina (c) of Renee-Moonveil
Archery (c) of Scootaloocuteness

Keyblades


Keyblades by xilenobody143